Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1887-11-18
FRIDAY MORNING. NOV. IS. 1887.
GEN. MALONE.

We see in the Democratic press IN V1r-
ginia, and out of it, unanimous and en-
thusiastic verdict to the effect that the
recent Democratic victory disposes of Ma
hone. This paper has always recognized
the vitality, misused as it was, of Gen.
Malone in party matters, and has always
essayed to state fairly and correctly the
results of his success. We will try to be
as fair and correct in the matter Of his
defeat. This election does not dispose of
Malone. 1t may do it as far as the Demo-
cracy is concerned, but not as far as the
Republican party is interested. Malone
has never yet submitted to be deposed from
a high place in his political party without
kicking that party in two in repayment.
He splinters the throne when he leaves it,.
He did that for the Democrats. and will
not fail to do it for the Republicans. When
he left the Democracy of Virginia in 1879
he left it split. When he leaves the Re-
publican party he will leave it in the same
condition. 1t s treated him in a coward
ly way; something the Democracy never
did. The Democratic partY's difference
with Malone was that 1t didn't want him;
the Republican party's difference with
him is the cowardly one that the Demo-
Gratis don't want him. The Republican
party don't object to Malone; they don It
object to his making every college, every
asylum. every petty office in the State a
part of the political machine; they don't
object TO any one thing he did in the U. S.
Senate; they don't object to bis prefer
ence for Sherman-they rather like it
with the hope that if we are for Sherman,
Sherman will be for us; they don't OBJ
ject to his bossism-but they want to
throw him overheard, Jonah like. because
the Democrats hate him and because no
floating vote can be covered into the Re
publican ranks with Malone in command.
Gen. Malone is 20 worse than his party,
as some Republicans would have us be-
lieve; on the contrary, he rs the party. He
took 1t out of quagmire minority III
which only a few Federal office holders
could find dry walking, and elevated it int
control of the State. He managed their
campaigns. raised the funds for their field
operations, and LED them out of the wilder
ness. Every act of his was applauded to
the echo. What has he done since. that
the Republican party can object to or that
the party hasn't endorsed !? Is he to be
disowned because some of his lieutenants
have rebelled? In war it is the mutinous
lieutenants, not the commander in chief
that are court martialed.
But while there is combination of the
lieutenants against the general, a comb
nation which Is laughing in its sleeve al
the recent Republican defeat IN Virginia
the conspirators need not flatter them
selves that they are rid of William Ma
hone. Much Of their talk has been empty
boasting as will sooa be proved. Tht
first trial of strength will come off about
y next July, when the Republican Stat'
Convention will be held to send delegate
to the National Convention. 1t will b.
there that Malone will, for the first tim
in three years-since 1885 meet his enc
mics 10 his own party face to face. Dur
ing that three years they have increased
in numbers and possibly in Influence, blu
they will find at that convention that Lh'
intervening county meeting to send dele
gates to it have made some music that vii
put things in different light. The Re
publican lieutenants will be there but no
their backing. Sherman will be Malone
= test and Sherman delegates will be sent t
he National Convention. The Republican
4 State Convention of 1883 will do IVY
things-it will show Mahones Republi
can opponents that he Is not dead no
sleeping, and it will give the Democrat
an opportunity to learn some of the insid
workings of the Malone party. Flo
a liberal hand.